Folding machine



May 18, 1937. E. D. RADER 5 AL "2,080,505

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19,1931 'ls sheets-sheet '1 May 18, 1937.

E. D; RADER ET AL FOLDING MACHINE Fiied Fe 19, 1931 v 15 Sheets-Sheet '2 3nnentors May 18,1937. E. D. RADER r AL 8 ,5

FOLDING MACHINE 7 Filed Feb. 19. 1931 15 she ts-sheet 3 3 mentors May1s;\1937. 5 D, RAD R EAL 2,080,505

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1931 151 Sheets-Sheets E. D. RADER ET AL FO LDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19. 1931 15 Sheets-Sheejts 1 ,V @N V m .A

y '18, 1931 E, D. RADER n A; 2,080, 05

7 FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb 19. 1931- 15 Sheets-Shee t a mtorucgu May 18, 1937. E. D. RADER El AL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1931 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 @M VAVN May 18, 1937. E. D. RADER Er AL FOLDING MACfi-IINE Filed Feb 19, 1931 15 Sheets-Sheet l1 May 18, 3937.

E. RADER ET AL FOLDING MACHINE May 18, 1937. E. D. RADE-R. El A 2,080,505

FOLDING' mcamfi Filed Feb. 19; 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 3nventora attorney Patented May 18, 1937 v a UNITED sTA Es PATENT OFFICE FOLDING MACHINE Earl D. ltader, Mount Kisco, and Edwin W. Goodwin, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignors to Dexter Folder Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York I Application February 19, 1931, Serial No. 517,049

95 Claims. '(Gl. 270-62) This invention relates to folding machines, and required for the rollers and assist in the making while capable of general use, is more particularly of said adjustments.

adapted for embodiment in machines that loop Another object of this invention is to provide fold sheets of paper, or knife fold sheets of paper, a loop folder that has improved roller adjusting or both. devices and in which certain of the latter are v One object of the present invention is to promounted on the roller hearings in such. manner 5 vide an improved folding machine which is cathat the adjusting devices on the bearings of one p'able of making a wide variety of folds in sheets roller engage the bearings of an adjacent roller and enables the various folded products required and act therethrough to adjust the latter.

by the trade to be made in a single machine. Another object of this invention is to provide 10 Another object of this invention is to provide a loop folder which has rollers and a deflector. an improved loop folding machine which has 100p each shiftable so that sheets may be slit by folding mechanisms and auxiliary devices theredevices on one roller and delivered directly out for associated in a compact and novel manner of the machine, or passed, without slitting, to

and adjustable to various positions, as desired. other parts of the machine for folding thereby. 15

Another object of this invention is to provide Another object of this invention is to provide a :21 flm grfived fogiing machine which embodies a loop folder :vhgigh has bgsstgilriiatedi therewcilth stlit;

e 0 er an one or more loop folders preting means may own 11 0 an ou 0 ceding and following the knife folder, respecoperation at will without removal of the slitter tively. and cooperating therewith in a novel manblades and supporting means therefor.

ner to produce various forms of .folded products. Another object of this invention is to provide 20 Another object of this invention is to provide a loop folder which has slitting means movable a loop folder which has sheet stopping and deinto and out of operative position and independflecting means combined in asingle device mount-'- ent yieldable retaining means engageable with 25 ed on the grid and adjustable therealong to vaand disengageable from the same. 25 rious positions. Another object of this invention is to provide Another object of this invehtion is to provide an improved transfer mechanism which carries a loop folding machine that has novel and imor guides sheets from a loop folding mechanism proved arrangements of grids and rollers and to a knife folding mechanism.

in which each grid carries a combined sheet Another object of this invention is to prostop and deflector adjustable thereon to various vide an improved, mechanically operated, sheet positions. controlled knife-folder that cooperates with a Another'object of this invention is to provide preceding folding mechanism from which the a loop folding mechanism which enables a maxsheets may be delivered, either folded, or unimum number of folds to be made in a sheet .folded,tosaid knife folder for folding thereby. 35 with a minimum number of feeding and folding Another object of this invention is to provide rollers. t .a loop folder which has parts shiftable to fold Another object of this invention is to provide sheets in different impositions and movable as a loop folder which has a plurality of grids and a unit with remaining parts of the folder so that 40 feeding and folding rollers associated with said the latter ay be thrown into andout 0f Op o grids as a single roller assembly so that the space aflve relation W another folderrequired for said grids and said rollers is ref gig g g f g gigz g g g ggz gg duced to a minimum. 00p 9 c Another object of this invention is to provide out of operative relation with a knife folder and a loop folder which has improved bearings for the drive that is automatically Qonnected 45 disconnected as the loop folder is moved into feeding and folding rollers enabling the latter to mi and out of operative relation with said kinfe be readily moved into and out of position indefolder respectively pendently of 9 Pther through either side of Another object of this invention is to provide the machine a folding machine which has a folding device 50 Another object of this invention is to provlde controlled through movement of another foldmlder having Improved roller bearings ing device into and out of operative relation that pivotally mount the feeding and folding rolltherewith ers to facilitate adjustments thereof and which Another object of thi invention is to provide are nested and interiitted to reduce the sp ce a transfer mechanism which is selectively mov- 55 able into operative relation with a loop folder at either side thereof in accordance with the type of folds to be made in the sheets thereby and the direction of delivery of the sheets therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a transfer mechanism which is selectively movable into, operative relation with a loop folder at either side thereof and adapted to transfer sheets therefrom to one side or the other of a succeeding loop folder.

Another object of this invention is to provide two folders extending transversely of each other and constructed so that both may fold sheets in different types of imposition and one may receive sheets delivered from either side of the other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a loop folder which extends transversely of a preceding folder across the entire width of the machine and is supported centrally thereof by means carrying said preceding folder.

Another object of this invention is to provid knife andioop folder supporting means which serve to accurately guide the knife folder with respect to the loop folder.

Another object of this invention isto provide an improved folding machine which. may fold a sheet with one or more parallel loop folds, one knife fold at right angles to the parallel loop fold or folds, a second right ,angle loop fold in either book or news imposition, and a following parallel loop fold in either book or news imposition;

Another object of this invention is toprovide a stacker which is' selectively movable into operative relation with different loop folding mechanisms to receive the sheets from any one of the same. w 7 Another object of this invention is to'provide a stacker which is' selectively movable, into operative relation with different loop folding instrumentalities and may be driven in all of its operative positions by a single driving means.

Another object of this invention is to provide .a stacker which is selectively-movable into operative relation with different loop folding mechanisms and has a width such that it may receive the sheets from each of said loop folding mechanisms from .either side thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide afolding machine with astacker which is controlled by the sheets fed into said machine.

positions thereon,-as desired.

- Another object of this invention is to provide a folding machine which has a sheet feeding conveyor therefor arranged so that it may be swung up and down to inoperative and operative Another object of this invention is to provide a sheet feeding conveyor which has a movable endless side guide or registering device carried thereby and .-selectively movable from one side of said conveyor to the opposite side thereof; as desired; 3 l

Another object of this invention is to provide a sheet feeding conveyor which has a driven endless side guide mounted thereon and movable therewith tooperative and inoperative positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sheet feeding conveyor and a movable endless sheet guide which have driving connections arranged so that. the conveyor and the endless guide maybe moved as a unit to operative and inoperative positions without disturbing said connections.

Another object. of this invention is to provide tapes maybe independently moved angularly toward one side or the other of the conveyor, as desired.

, Another object of this invention is to provide a driven endless side guide which may be selectively positioned at one side or the other of a conveyor and has driving connections that are automatically connected and disconnected upon movement of said side guide .into and out of.

position, respectively.

These and other objects of the present invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds, and in order to more clearly understand said invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings:

In said drawings:

Figs. 1 and in are complementary side elevations of a folding machine embodying the present invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of a. control mechanism housing and its supporting means; v

Fig.- 3 is a detail perspective view of parts of a first transfer mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5, showing parts of a planetary gear knife operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of a sheet feeder shown in Fig. 1a;

Fig, 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of adjusting and securing means for. the latter;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional I view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1, the stacker being shown in a different position from that illustrated in Fi 1;

Fig. 10 veyor, sheet feeding and folding rollers, and driving mechanism for these and other parts of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentarytop plan view of the conveyor and an endless side guide or sheet register thereon, the latter being shown at the far side of the conveyor;

12 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 12-42 of Fig. 11;

is a detail perspective view of a coni Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line l3-i3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 14- of Fig. 11; t

Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of a bracket or support for the endless side guide or register;

Fig. 19 is a transverse-vertical sectional view on the line 19-49 of Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary horizontal longitudinal sectional view on the line 2ll20 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the bearing studs and spring caps or covers shown in Fig. 17,.the parts being separated for purposesof clearer illustration;

Fig. 22 is a detail perspective view of one roller supporting and adjusting means shown in Fig. 17, the parts being separated for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail perspective View of parts of the first transfer mechanism, the sec.- ond, third, and fourth folding mechanisms, the stacker, and driving means for the aforesaid instrumentalities;

. Fig. 24 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of means pivotally mounting the first transfer mechanism and carrying partsof devices controlled by the third folding mechanism and in turn controlling the knife or second folding I mechanism;

Fig. 25 is a detail perspective view of center bearings for rollers of the fourth folding mechanism;

Fig. 26 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the knife or second folding mechanism, showing portions of knife operating means and sheet actuated controlling devices therefor;

Fig. 2'7 is an enlarged transverse vertical .sec-

tional view of part of the stacker operating mechanism;

Fig. 28 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 2 828 of- Fig. 9;

Fig. 29 is a detail perspective view of the third folding mechanism; Figs. 30 and 31 are fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional views of the. third folding mechanism with parts shifted to opposite sides thereof, respectively;.

Fig. 32 is a transverse sectional view on the line 32 32 of Fig. 6, showing a shiftable, second transfer mechanism;

Figs. 33 and 34 are side elevations of the mechanism shown in Fig-32, looking from the right and left thereof, respectively;

7 Figs. 35, 36, and 37 are transverse horizontal sectional views on the lines 3535; 36-36, and 31-31 of Fig. 32, respectively;-

Fig. 38 is a detail perspective view of portions of the second transfer mechanism shown in Figs. 32 to 37, inclusive; Fig. 39 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the various folding mechanisms, showing the path of travel of sheets therethrough, and Fig. 40 is a reduced detail perspective view. of

the center frame member of the machine.

In the embodiment of the invention'herein disclosed, there is employed a main frame and drivingmechanis'm, a sheet feeder, a sheet conveyor, a movable endless side guide or register, a first-folding mechanism, a first transfer mechanism for delivering sheets from the first folding ,mechanism to a second folding mechanism, a

third folding mechanism receivingsheets from the second folding mechanism, a second transfer,

mechanism for delivering the sheets from the third folding mechanism to a fourth folding 3| also passe MAIN FRAME-AND Darvnm Msonamsu Figs. 1, 1a. 6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17,19, 23, 2 8, and 40 The main frame of the machine comprises side frame members 5 and 6 and. an intermediate frame member 1 extending between said side frame members in spaced parallel relation therewith. These frame members are connected together by stay shafts 8 and 9, and cross members II), II, and I2. Said stay shafts and cross members are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the frame members connected therewith, and

extend transversely of said frame members as clearly shown in the drawings. Cross members II and I2 are of angular formation in cross sec" mon source of power, herein shown as an'electrio motor It that is halted or otherwise suit aby secured at l5 to the machine foundation i3.

The motor hi is supplied with current from any suitable source through leads enclosed in a. conduit l6. Said motor is started and stopped, as desired, by a switch 2i. Fixed on the. armature shaft I! of the motor M is a pulley l8 around which passes a belt l9 that also passes around a pulley 20. The pulley 20 is fixed on a shaft 22 that extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable hearings on the side frame members 5 and 6 thereof. The shaft 22 is thus driven continuously by the motor l4 when the latter is started through the medium of the switch 2|.

Fixed on the shaft 22 is a hand wheel 23 by means of which the shaft 22 and the various mechanisms connected therewithmaybe turned or operated manually, when desired. The shaft 22 also has fixed thereon a bevel pinion 24 which meshes with a similar pinion 25 that is fixed on a forwardly and downwardly inclined shaft 26 at the upper end thereof. The shaft 26 is journalled in suitable bearings on the side frame member 6, and fixed on thelower end of said shaftis a bevel pinion 21 that meshes witha similar pinion 28. The bevel pinion .28 is fixed on one of a pair of trunnions 29 of a knurled roller 530, 530-that extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable bearings on the frame members 5, 6, and 1 thereof. Fixed on the trunnion that carries the pinion 28, and preferably formed integrally with the latter, is a sprocket 30 around which asses a chain 3|. This chain xound a sprocket 32 that is fixed 'on a stub shaft 3 journalled in a suitable bearing on the side frame member 5. Fixed an the stub shaft 33,- and preferably formed integrally with the sprocket 32, is a bevel pinion 34 which meshes-with a similar pinion 35 that is'fixed on a stub shaft 36. The stub shaft 36 is journalled in a suitable bearing on the side frame member 6, and said stub shaft is connected, as by a universal coupling 31, with one end of an upwardly and rearwardly inclined shaft 38. The shaft 33 is journalled in suitable bearings on the side frame 6 and on the frame 33 01' a sheet feeder which is operated by said'shaft and serves to feed a supply of sheets 43.

,Srmrrr Fmm Figs. 1, 1a, 7, and 17 The sheet feeder may be of any suitable type, but as herein shown is preferably of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,521,365, granted December 30, 1924 to L. J. Frohn. Accordingly, the sheets 46 are fed from an upper feed board 4|, around a feed'drum 42, and over a lower feed board 43. The feed boards 4| and 43 are supported in any suitable manner on the frame 39, and the feed drum 42 extends transversely of said frame and is journalled in suitable bearings thereon. The sheets 46 are fed by tapes 44, 45,

and 46 which are associated with the upper feed board 4|, the feed drum 42, and the lower feed board 43, respectively. The tapes 44 pass over and under the upper feed board 4|, around the feed drum 42, and around rollers 41 and 41' journalled on the forward end of said upper feed board and the frame 39, respectively. The tapes 45 pass around rollers 46, 49, 56, and 5| which extend transversely of the frame 39 and are journalled in suitable bearings thereon. The tapes 45 press the sheets against the feed drum 42, and form a throat 52 that may be opened, when desired. For this purpose, the roller 46 is mounted on a swinging frame 53 that is pivoted on the shaft of the roller 49 and moved, when desired, by a handle 54. The tapes 46 pass over and under the lower feed board 43 and around rollers 5|,

pinion 66. The bevel pinion 66 is fixed on a stud' shaft 6| extending transversely of the shaft 36 and journalled in 'a suitable bearing on the frame 39. Fixed on the stud shaft 6| is a spur pinion 62 that meshes with an idler pinion 62' which in turn meshes with an idler pinion 62". These idler pinions are journalled in any suitable manner on the frame 39, and the idler pinion 62" meshes with a spur gear 63 which is fixed on a shaft 64 at one end thereof. This shaft 64 extends transversely of the frame 39 and is journalled in suitable bearings thereon. Fixed on the shaft 64, at the end thereof opposite that carrying the gear 63, is.a cam 65. This cam.65' is adapted to engage a roller 66 journalled on one arm 61 of a bell crank 66 the other arm of which is indicated at 69.

fixed on said shaft. The shaft 51 also has fixed thereon a sprocket 12 around which passes a chain 13. The chain 13 also passes around a sprocket 14 that is fixed on a shaft 15 journalled in a suitable bearing on the frame 39 and carry- I is lo 70 ing the roller 5|. This shaft 15 has fixed thereon a gear/16 which meshes with an idler gear 11 that 11 meshes with a second idler gear 16 that is also journalled on the frame 39. This idler gear 16, in turn, meshes with a gear 19 that is-flxed on the feed roller 42 or the shaft therefor The sheets on the lower feed board 43 are separated and forwarded by a suction wheel indi- This bell crank is loosely mounted on the shaft 51 and carries a. pawl 16 adapted to engage'a. ratchet'1I that isalled on the frame 39. Theidler gear cated at 66 and fixed on the shaft 64 to rotatetherewith. The wheel 66 is operated and controlled as disclosed in Patent No. 1,521,365 above referred to, and since said wheel and the suction supplying and controlling devices therefor form, per se, no part of the present invention, it is unnecessary to describe them in detail. The shaft 64 and the bell crank 66 are rotated continuously and rocked intermittently, respectively, and as the sheets are separated and forwarded by the sheet separating means 66 and the sheet forwarding means 6|, the pawl 16 is intennittently engaged with the ratchet 1| to intermittently advance the sheets 46. Intermittent engagement .of the pawl 16 with the ratchet 1| is controlled;

by mechanism such as disclosed in Patent No. 1,521,365 and including a member 62 which, in the absence of sheets at the wheel 66, rocks a finger 63 out of engagement with a spring and cam controlled rod 64, thus releasing a rod 64 connected with the bell crank 66 so that the latter is operated by cam 65 to engage the pawl 16 with the ratchet 1|. The shaft 51 is thus rotated, and the belts "are positively driven to advance the sheets along the lower feed board 43.

The chain 13 is also driven when the shaft 51 is rotated and acts, through the described driving connections for said chain with the feed drum 42, to drive the latter. Thebelts 44 and 45 will thus be driven by the feed drum 42 and the roller 5|. When the sheets 46 have been advanced sufficiently, the member 62 is lifted, thus engaging the finger 63 with rod 64 and stopping the operation thereof so that it holds rod 64 and bell crank 68 against movement. The feeder is thus stoppeduntil sheets under wheel 66 have been separated and forwarded thereby, whereupon the feeder is started, as before described.-

The sheets are advanced successively by the .wheel 66 between a feed roller 65, and drop rollers (not shown) and a disk 66 arranged above said feed roller and cooperating therewith. The

roller 65 is fixed on a shaft 61 extending transversely of the frame 39 and journalled in suitable bearings thereon. The shaft 61 and the roller 65 are driven from the idlerpinion 62, by a ,pins 91 and resting on the feed roller 65. If

more than one sheet at a time is fed between the roller 65 and the caliper 96, the latter will be moved to throw the feeder out of operation.

Rotatably mounted on the frame 39 is a rock shaft I25 having fi'xed thereon an arm I26 pivotally connected with one extremity of a link 99 the opposite extremity of which is slidably connected with an arm I66 that is fixed on a shaft IN. The shaft MI, in turn, isjournalled in arms I62 secured to or formed integrally with brackets I63 that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at I64, to side members I65 of a main conveyor frame that is pivotally mounted on a shaft I66. This shaft I66 extends transversely of the side frame members 5 and 6, and

said shaft is'journalled in suitable bearings on said side frame members. The side members "5 of the pivoted conveyor frame carry a sheet conveyor and a sheet guide, hereinafter described,

and duringdahe normal operation, of the ma- "chine, said side members rest on, and are sup ported by, arms I01 which are secured to, or formed integrally with, the side frame members 5 and 6, and project rearwardly therefrom as clearly shown in the drawings.

Extending between pins I09 carried by an arm I08 fixed on shaft IN, is a-horizontally disposed control rod IIO the forward end of which is provided with an operating knob or handle I I I.

This control rod H0 is movably mounted on suitable means (not shown) carried by one of a pair of brackets H4. Thebrackets H0, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at II5, on the side frame members 5 and 6. Fixed on the control rod III], rearwardly of the arm I08 and the pins I09, is a collar I I6.

,The rear extremity of the control member H0 is pivotally connected with an arm I21 that is fixed on the rockshaft I25. The rockshaft I25 also has fixed thereon an arm I28 which is engaged by the pins 97 when the caliper 96 is operated. The shaft I25 is thus rocked to close a valve I29 connected by a link I29 with an arm I30 that is fixed on said shaft. This valve I29 controls the suction in the wheel 80. The valve I29, and the connections therefor with a source of suction and with the wheel 80 are substantially the same as disclosed in Patent No. 1,521,365 above referred to, and it is therefore unnecessary to describe the same in detail.

It is pointed out, that if more'than one sheet at a time is fed between the feed roller 85 and the caliper 96, the caliper will be moved upwardly and acts, through the described connections therefor with the valve I29, to operate said valve so that suction is cut off in the suction wheel 80, thus throwing the feeder out of operation. .When the trouble has been remedied, the feeder may be thrown intooperation, by pulling the control rod M0 to open the valve I29; When the control rod H0 is pulled to open the valve, the shaft I25 and parts thereon are rocked, the caliper 96 and the link 99 are reset, 'the collar II6 engages the pins I09 on arm I08 to rock shaft IOI, and a pawl II! on shaft IOI engages a detent M8, on link 99 and prevents accidental displacement of the shaft IN and the parts carried thereby. The pawl H1 is pivoted at II9 on the arm I00 that is fixed on the shaft IN. This pawl II! has an arm vI'll that engages a stop I22 on the arm I00. The detent H8 is formed on a small bracket I23 that is'adjustably mounted, as by a set screw I24, on the link 99. The valve I29 may be operated to stop the feeder and start it, as desired, by manually operating the control rod H0 or a handle I20 that is fixed on rockshaft I25.

In the normal operation of the feeder, the

sheets are separated and advanced successively by the wheel 80between the feed roller 85 and the drop rollers (not shown). Passing around and driven by the feed roller 85 are tapes I3I which also pass around a roller I32. The roller I32 is fixed on a shaft I33 that extends transversely of, and is journalled in, suitable'bearings manner to a sheet conveyor which is preferably operated and constructed as follows.

SHEET CONVEYOR Figs 1, 1a, 6, 10, and 11 to 17, inclusive The sheet conveyor serves to deliver the sheets to folding mechanism which is mounted on the side frame members 5 and 6, and which will be hereinafter described. Said conveyor is preferably driven from the shaft 22. Accordingly, the

' suitable bearings on the side frame member 6, and fixed on the upper end of said shaft is a bevel pinion I40 which meshes with a similar pinion MI. The bevel pinion I4! is fixed on the shaft I06 on which the side frame members I05 of the conveyor are pivotally mounted. The shaft I06 also has fixed thereon a sprocket I42 around which passes a chain I43. The chain I43 also passes around a sprocket I44 that is journalled on a stud I45.- The stud I45 is fixed onone of a pair of extensions I46 that depend downwardly from, and are preferably formed integrally with, the brackets I03. The stud I45 has adjustably secured thereon an arm I 4! provided on the free end thereof with an idler sprocket I48 that engages the chain I43 to take up the slack therein. Rotatably mounted on the stud I45 is a spur gear I49 which is formed integrally with the sprocket I44 and meshes with a similar gear I50 that is fixed on a shaft I5I. This shaft ,I5I extends transversely of the conveyor and is jour-. nalled in suitable bearings on the extensions I46 of the brackets I03. Fixed on the shaft I5I, and adjustable therealong to various positions, are

pulleys I52 around which pass tapes I53. The

tapes I53 receive the sheets from the tapes I3I, and carry said sheets therefrom to sheet folding mechanism which is indicated broadly at I54 and mounted on the side frame members .5 and 6. The tapes I53 extend diagonally of the-normal line of travel of the sheets to said folding mechanism, so that said sheets are brought up against a moving endless side guide I55 which registers the sheets with said folding mechanism. In accordance with thepresent invention, the side guide I55 may be selectively positioned at one side or the other of the conveyor frame I05, and the tapes I53 may be adjusted to move the sheets laterally to one side or the other of said conveyor frame in accordance with the position of the side guide I55. In order to reduce to a minimum, the space existing between the tapes I53 and the folding mechanism I54, and in order to facilitate adjustment of the tapes I53 in accordance with the position of the side guide I55, the tapes I53 are, in accordance with the present invention, mounted on adjustable auxiliary frames I56 carried by the main conveyor frame and movable thereon to adjust the position of the tapes I53 without disturbing the driving connections therefor with the pulleys I52. Accordingly, the auxiliary frames I56 have secured to or formed integrally therewith, extensions I51 that rest on bars I58 extending transversely of the main conveyor frame and secured to the side frame members I05 thereof, as by machine screws I59.

. Passing through suitable openings. in the extensions I51 of auxiliary frames I56, are machine screws I60 the lower ends of which have threaded engagement wifhthewalls of suitable openings 

